Publishers Rally For Freedom Of Speech

Last Sunday was a “Rally for Freedom of Speech,” to support a strengthened law in New York State, as in many other states, to protect writers from international libel tourism. For more background, you may access prior posts here. Rachel Ehrenfeld leads the charge, and others are coming aboard.

The Association of American Publishers, for example, says:

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) welcomed the introduction of legislation in the New York State legislature that will make it harder for “libel tourists” to threaten authors and publishers in New York by bringing meritless defamation actions in plaintiff-friendly foreign courts. The legislation was announced at a press conference on the steps of the New York Public Library on Sunday morning, January 13….

The Association of American Publishers is the national trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. AAP’s approximately 300 members include most of the major commercial book publishers in the United States , as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies. AAP members publish hardcover and paperback books in every field, educational materials for the elementary, secondary, post-secondary and professional markets, scholarly journals, computer software and electronic products and services. The Association represents an industry whose very existence depends upon the free exercise of rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

The AAP’s power is concentrated in New York City, but stretches across the country and world.

One hopes the NYS legislature is listening.

We all owe Ms. Ehrenfeld our thanks and support.